24th New York Asian Film Festival

July 11-27, 2025

North American Premiere

The Stone

เดอะสโตน พระแท้ คนเก๊

While his father is nearly on his deathbed, naïve-to-a-fault Ake decides to sell pop’s sacred amulet to pay the hospital bills. At the amulet market (think NYC’s diamond district only with purportedly magical charms instead of gems), he runs afoul of various colorful figures of the industry including a shady vendor, a pretty and spunky YouTuber, and the literal daddy of the whole antique icon scene. Before you can say "romancing the stone," everyone and their uncle is on a wild scavenger hunt for what may be the most sought after amulet ever. This dynamic mélange of thriller, crime, action, coming of age, and even romcom tropes dives headfirst into its evocative local milieu for a spirited send-up of Thai mores and archetypes full of jaw-dropping surprises.

Directors: Arak Amornsupasiri (Pae), Vuthipong Sukhanindr
Producers: Paween Purijitpanya, Surawut Tungkarak
Cast: Jaonaay Jinjett Wattanasin, Aheye Korranid Laosubinprasoet
Languages: Thai with English subtitles
2025; 125 min.
Country: Thailand

SCHEDULE:

Friday July 18, 6:00pm
Film at Lincoln Center

Intro and Q&A with directors Pae Arak Amornsupasiri, Vuthipong Sukhanindr and producers Paween Purijitpanya, Surawut Tungkarak

Arak Amornsupasiri (Pae)
อารักษ์ อมรศุภศิริ

Arak Amornsupasiri, nicknamed Pae , is a Thai musician and actor. He began his musical career as guitarist for the indie rock band Slur, before releasing his first album as a solo singer in 2010. He began acting in the 2007 film Body #19, and has starred in several films, including Best of Times (2009), Bangkok Assassins (2011), By the Time It Gets Dark (2016), Khun Pan (NYAFF 2018), and Doi Boy (2023). Arak began exploring storytelling from behind the camera and wrote the original story his directorial debut, The Stone, which he is presenting with co-director at NYAFF 2025

Paween Purijitpanya
ปวีณ ภูริจิตปัญญา

Paween Purijitpanya (Golf) is a Thai director, editor and screenwriter. He graduated from the Faculty of Communication Arts from Chulalongkorn University. He is known for his directorial debut Body (2007), 4bia (2008), Phobia 2 (2009) and Netflix original film Ghost Lab, as well as episodes of the Netflix series Girl From Nowhere. In 2024, he partnered with Jungka Studio, directing the four-part dystopian anthology series _Tomorrow and I _that examines the intersection of technology and tradition in future Thailand. He is the producer of The Stone, screening at NYAFF 2025.

Surawut Tungkarak
สุรวุฒิ ตุงคะรักษ์

Surawut Tungkarak is a Thai producer, director and editor known for editing Thai horror films such as Body (2007) and Phobia (4bia, 2008). He directed the experimental mini-series The Dreamer: Condo/ Barista/Architect (2016) and the episode Liberation of Girl From Nowhere Season 2 (2021). In 2024, Surawut produced the TV mini-series Tomorrow + I, a coming-of-age drama that showcased his ability to balance intimacy with innovation. Most recently, he served as producer for The Stone producing The Stone (NYAFF 2025).

Vuthipong Sukhanindr
วุฒิพงษ์ สุขะนินทร์

Vuthipong Sukhanindr is a director and producer with extensive experience in music videos, advertising, and motion graphics. He has built a distinctive visual style and proven track record in the industry. He has collaborated with Arak Amornsupasiri in various capacities, in a creative partnership that eventually led to them co-directing their first feature film, The Stone. Their collaborative approach brings together decades of friendship, creative synergy, and professional expertise from their respective fields.